I–V–vi–IV (the “four chords”) · A♭ major

A♭ – E♭ – Fm – D♭

IA♭ · A♭ C E♭

VE♭ · E♭ G B♭

viFm · F A♭ C

IVD♭ · D♭ F A♭

A♭ – E♭ – Fm – D♭: the four chords under a great many pop songs — the verse of “Let It Be” is this progression in C. In A♭ major they are I, V, vi and IV.

Smooth voicings — root in the left hand

The right hand takes whichever inversion is nearest, so it moves by a step or two instead of jumping.

A♭ I · root position

1 · 3 · 5 over A♭ in the bass

E♭ V · first inversion

3 · 5 · 1 over E♭ in the bass

Fm vi · first inversion

♭3 · 5 · 1 over F in the bass

D♭ IV · second inversion

5 · 1 · 3 over D♭ in the bass

Why it works

Two major chords, a minor, a major: the minor chord in third place is the shadow that makes the return to IV and I feel bright. Played with the smooth voicings above, the right hand moves by a step or two between every chord.

I–V–vi–IV in every key

C major D♭ major D major E♭ major E major F major F♯ major G major A♭ major A major B♭ major B major

More progressions in A♭

ii–V–I in A♭ major ii–V–i in G♯ minor vi–IV–I–V in A♭ major I–vi–IV–V in A♭ major I–IV–V in A♭ major

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